On June 21, 2023, the Honourable Colm Imbert, Minister of Finance hosted a seminar on the “Procedures Required for Accessing Funds in the Estimates of Recurrent Expenditure and Development Programme” for Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and Deputy Permanent Secretaries of the various Government Ministries.

In his opening remarks, the Minister of Finance indicated that the seminar was primarily aimed at clearing up common misconceptions about, and to make more efficient, the process for satisfying the request for Government funding.

The event featured presentations by the Director of Budgets (Budget Division), who outlined procedures on accessing funds from the Budgetary Allocation Recurrent Expenditure, Development Programme and the Infrastructure Development Fund; and the Comptroller of Accounts (Treasury Division), who presented on the Financial Management and Accounting System of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. Both presentations were followed by a question and answer session which further provided clarifications for all participants.

It is hoped that the information imparted will empower and provide greater assistance to accounting officers in the performance of their duties, resulting in improved efficiency and productivity, while operating in an environment of accountability, transparency and integrity.